Pep Biel stars as Charlotte FC earns first 2026 win

Charlotte FC defeats Austin FC 3-1 with Biel's second-half brace

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Pep Biel scored two second-half goals to lead Charlotte FC to a 3-1 victory over visiting Austin FC on Saturday night. Idan Toklomati also scored for Charlotte, which earned its first win of the 2026 season. Austin took an early lead on a Charlotte own goal, but Charlotte controlled possession and had five shots on target in the first half. Austin went down a man in the 25th minute after a red card, and Charlotte took advantage with two unanswered goals in the second half.

Why it matters

This win gives Charlotte FC its first points of the 2026 season and shows the team's ability to bounce back from an early deficit and capitalize on a man-advantage situation. For Austin FC, the loss is its first of the season and raises questions about the team's depth and discipline with the early red card.

The details

Biel gave Charlotte a 2-1 lead in the 68th minute, one-touching a cross from Liel Abada into the net for his second goal of the season. Biel added his third goal in the second-half stoppage time to seal the victory. Charlotte had a goal waved off in the 55th minute after video review showed the ball went off the arm of a Charlotte player. Toklomati opened the scoring for Charlotte in the 29th minute, tapping in a cross from Zaha. Austin's own goal in the 31st minute tied the match 1-1 at halftime.

  • The match was played on Saturday, March 8, 2026.
  • Austin FC went down a man in the 25th minute after a red card.
  • Toklomati scored for Charlotte in the 29th minute.
  • The own goal for Austin tied the match 1-1 in the 31st minute.
  • Biel scored the go-ahead goal for Charlotte in the 68th minute.

The players

Pep Biel

A Spanish midfielder for Charlotte FC who scored two second-half goals to lead his team to victory.

Idan Toklomati

A Charlotte FC player who scored the opening goal for his team in the 29th minute.

Kristijan Kahlina

The goalkeeper for Charlotte FC who made one save in the win.

Brad Stuver

The goalkeeper for Austin FC who made nine saves in the losing effort.

Guilherme Biro

An Austin FC defender who was sent off with a straight red card in the 25th minute.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Charlotte FC will continue its five-match home stand by hosting Miami next Saturday, while Austin FC will visit Salt Lake.

The takeaway

This win shows Charlotte FC's resilience in coming from behind and taking advantage of a man-advantage situation, while the loss raises questions about Austin FC's depth and discipline as they suffered their first defeat of the 2026 season.